Foundation garment



Oct. 25, 1966 G. H. WEEKS FOUNDATION GARMENT Filed 001;. 9, 1963 INVENTOR H WEEKS GLADYS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,280,819 FOUNDATION GARMENT Gladys Hazle Weeks, 858 W. 7th St., San Bernardino, Calif.

Filed Oct. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 315,057 1 Claim. (Cl. 128525) The present invention relates generally to improvements in foundation garments or girdles; more particularly, the invention relates to an improved foundation garment wherein holding or molding forces are effected and applied in a manner such that they are exerted against each other and are applied relatively evenly and comfortably.

Various types of foundation garments, girdles and bands have been provided for molding or improving the figure of the wearer by altering body contours, particularly the contours of the abdomen, hips and thighs, as well as for medical purposes. A number of disadvantages and shortcomings have characterized different types of such foundation garments. The holding forces are not exerted in such manner or balanced that the garments or girdles tend to remain in the desired positions and provide a good degree of comfort. Many of the garments are relatively uncomfortable, particularly in warm weather. Many are relatively heavy in order to be of sufficient thickness to be effective. Foundation garments or girdles having no bottom portions extending between the wearers legs and/ or about the legs tend to roll or creep from the desired position on the body. To prevent creeping or rolling, such girdles must be retained, as by securement to hose worn by the wearer. Girdles or foundation garments having bottom portions between the wearers legs or seat portions, although they have less tendency to creep or roll, are less comfortable and must be largely removed for purposes of biological evacuation. Such garments or girdles are relatively difficult to put on requiring stretching of the garment and squirming, twisting and squeezing by the wearer. This presents inconvenience and discomfort to the wearer using the foundation garment for figure-improvement purposes, and presents a difficult problem to the person using the garment for medical purposes, such as a post-operative or post-obstetric patient.

The present invention provides an improved foundation garment or girdle wherein integrally connected sections are adapted to extend about the lower portion of the wearers back, extend about the hips, cross by means of overlapping sections across the abdomen, and extend about the thighs about which thigh sections of the garment are secured. Forces are exerted or applied by the garment in the proper directions, and in all proper directions advantageously to mold and/0r hold the figure or body portions of the wearer. The forces or pulls are exerted laterally and/or diagonally with respect to the lower portion of the wearers body, and the garment in effect pulls against itself. Double support or molding forces are provided at the wearers abdomen by the crossing of separate portions of the garment at the front or abdomen, which area is ordinarily a serious figure problem and is the area of concern in most types of cases where such a garment is worn for medical reasons. Molding or holding forces are spread relatively evenly over the hips, abdomen and thighs of the wearer. Because of the construction and arrangement of the garment, opposing molding or holding forces are exerted 3,280,819 Patented Oct. 25, 1966 "ice between each hip and the opposite thigh, these forces being exerted against each other without discomfort and without tending to cause movement, creeping or rolling of the garment from its desired position. The garment or girdle is considerably easier to put on than conventional girdles, many of which require squirming and squeezing into, whereas the garment of the invention need only be wrapped about the wearer. The garment provides a wide range of adjustment in a very simplified manner in a single garment. Biological evacuations may be performed without removing or altering the position of the garment on the wearer.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved foundation garment or girdle wherein molding or holding forces are applied in an effective and advantageous manner.

An object of the invention is the provision of a foundation garment wherein holding or molding forces are applied in the proper directions, and in all proper directions, advantageously to form and mold the figure of the wearer.

An object of the invention is the provision of a foundation garment according to the foregoing objects, which effectively pulls against itself in desirable directions to exert advantageous molding or holding forces.

It is an object of this invention to provide a foundation garment according to the foregoing object wherein portions cross at the abdomen or front of the wearer, whereby advantageous holding and molding forces are exerted against each other and double support or molding force is provided at the wearers abdomen.

An object of the invention is the provision of a foundation garment according to the foregoing object wherein inward holding or molding forces are exerted between each hip of the wearer and the opposite thigh, whereby the garment pulls against itself.

An object of the invention is to provide a foundation garment according to certain of the foregoing objects wherein said crossing portions of the garment serve to mold or hold in rolls and disproportionate portions of the wearers hips and thighs.

An object of the invention is to provide a foundation garment or girdle which does not creep or roll from its desired position on the wearer.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a girdle or foundation garment which facilitates the putting on and removal by a wearer.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a foundation garment capable of a wide range of adjustment to accommodate different sizes of individuals and changes in the measurements of an individual.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a foundation garment which does not interfere with bodily functions and biological evacuations, and which does not require removal or alteration of position on the wearer for these purposes.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a foundation garment or girdle of relatively simplified and economical construction.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those versed in the art from a consideration of the following description, the appended claim and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the foundation garment of the present invention, showing the garment or girdle extended and flat to illustrate details of construction;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view showing the foundation garment in operative position about the ab domen, hips and thighs of a wearer;

FIGURE 3 is a rear elevational view, showing the foundation garment in operative position on the wearer; and

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view, showing the garment operatively positioned on the wearer.

Referring to the drawing, the foundation garment of the invention shown in FIGURE 1 as comprising a central or back section 10, hip or intermediate sections 12 and 14 extending oppositely from the back section, and thigh or end sections 16 and 18 extending respectively from hip portions 12 and 14. The sections are integrally connected, and there is preferably provided a hem 20 extending continuously about the unitary garment.

The central or back portion has a lower edge 22 of generally arcuate configuration extending between corner portions 24 and 26. The central section has an upper edge with an arcuate portion 28 which merges into relatively straight edge portions 30, 32 which extend oppositely from arcuate portion 28 to waist attachment portions 34 and 36, respectively, of the garment. Straight edges 38 and 40 of the respective waist attachment portions 34, 36 join the respective edges 30, 32 substantially at right angles, and join respective edges 46, 48 of hip or intermediate sections 12, 14, respectively at points 42, 44. The respective somewhat arcuate edges 46, 48 extend from the respective points 42, 44 to the respective corners 50, 52 of thigh attachment portions 58, 60. Edges 54 and 60 of the respective thigh attachment portions extend to corners 62, 64, respectively, where they are joined substantially perpendicularly with the respective lower edges, 66, 68 of the respective thigh sections 16, 18, which extend to corners 70, 72. Extending substantially at right angles from the respective corners 70, 72 are the edges of second thigh attachment portions 74, 76, these edges extending to the points or corners 78, 80, respectively, where they are joined by the arcuate edges 82, 84 of the respective hip or intermediate sections 12, 14 of the grament. The edges 82, 84 extend to the corners 24, 26, respectively which adjoin the arcuate lower edge 22 of the central section 10.

Fasteners are provided on the garment for securement of respective portions about the wearer. These fasteners may be of any appropirate conventional type, such as mutually engaging hooks or hooks and eyes. Fasteners 86 are provided on edge 82 of hip portion 12, and corresponding fasteners 88 are provided on edge 84 of section 14. Fasteners 90 are provided on waist attachment portion 34 and are adapted to engage with fasteners 92 on portion 36. A plurality of fasteners 94 is provided on second thigh attachment portion 74, and are preferably provided in a plurality of rows, each parallel with the edge of this portion, and a plurality of similar fasteners are arranged on second thigh attachment portion 76, as shown. Fasteners 94 are adapted to engage fasteners 98 on the edge of thigh attachment portion 58, and fasteners 96 are adapted to engage fasteners 100 on the edge of thigh attachment portion 60. As best shown in FIGURE 1, fasteners 102 are provided on the edge 46, and similar fasteners 104 are provided on the edge 48. Fasteners 102 are adapted to engage the fasteners 88 on edge 84 of hip section 12, and fasteners 104 are adapted to engage fasteners 86 on edge 82 of hip section 14, as-indicated in FIGURES '3 and 4.

From the drawing and from the geometric relations of the garment portions, it will be observed and understood that the waist attachment portions 34, 36 are secured together by the fasteners 90, 92 at the front of the waist of the wearer, as indicated in FIGURE 2. Hooks 102 secure the upper edge 46 of thigh portion 16 to fasteners 88 on lower edge 84 of hip portion 14, as indicated in FIGURES 3 and 4. correspondingly, hooks 104 secure the upper edge 48 of thigh portion 18 to hooks Zil 86 on lower edge 82 of thigh portion 12 (FIGURE 3). The hooks 98 secure thigh attachment portion 58 to the second thigh attachment portion 74 by means of fasteners 94 to secure thigh portion 16 about the right thigh of the wearer. The fasteners and the fasteners 96 similarly secure the thigh portion 18 about the left thigh of the wearer (FIGURE 2).

The plurality of rows of fasteners 94 and the corresponding plurality of rows of fasteners 96 on the second thigh attachment portion 74 and 76, in cooperation with the fasteners 98, 100, respectively on thigh attachment portions 58, 56 provide the only adjustment required for the entire foundation garment. These fasteners provide for selective adjustment of the securement of the thigh portions 16, 18 about the wearers thighs. It will be appreciated that the effective size of the entire garment may be provided by selection of the particular rows of fasteners 94 and 96 which are utilized in securing to the fasteners 98, 100. A wide range of adjustment is provided, whereby the garment is adjusted across the front or abdomen and across the back of the wearer. Appropriate compensation may be made for change in the measurements and size of the wearer, and the number of different sizes of garments which must be provided on the market is minimized. Very effective and simplified adjustment means are thus provided.

In utilizing the foundation garment, the back or central section 10 is placed across the back of an individual, as indicated in FIGURE 3, then the hip sections 12 and 14 are positioned about the wearers hips, and are extended to cross in overlapping relation at the front or abdomen of the wearer, as indicated in FIGURE 2. The thigh portions 16 and 18 are drawn between the respective thighs and wrapped around the respective thighs, as shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4. The respective fasteners are then engaged in the manner hereinbefore described.

Those versed in the art will appreciate that the present invention achieves the objects and realizes the advantages hereinbefore mentioned. An extraordinarily effective foundation garment or girdle is provided. Holding or molding forces are exerted in all proper directions with the garment pulling against itself in the proper directions. Because of the manner in which the forces are exerted, there is little or no tendency for the garment to creep or roll or otherwise move from its desired position on the wearer. Hip portions of the garment pull against opposite thigh portions to exert mutually beneficial forces tending to improve the hip and thigh contours of the wearer. The thigh portions serve to hold in and form the inner side portions of the wearers thighs, as well as the outer portions. Particularly beneficial holding or forming or molding forces are exerted at the wearers abdomen, because of the crossing of garment portions at the abdomen. The holding or molding forces are spread relatively evenly over the hips, abdomen and thighs of the wearer. The garment is easily put on or removed, is comfortable to wear, and permits biological evacuations without removal or particular adjustment of the garment.

Although a specific embodiment of the present invention has been .illustrated and described herein, it will be understood that the same is merely exemplary of presently preferred embodiments capable of attaining the objects and advantages hereinbefore mentioned, and that the invention is not limited thereto; variations will be readily apparent to those versed in the art, and the invention is entitled to the broadest interpretation within the terms of the appended claim.

The inventor claims:

A foundation garment of unitary elongated configuration having integrally connected end sections and adapted to wrap about the lower back, abdomen and hips of a wearer, said foundation garment comprising a central back section having arcuate upper and lower edges and adapted to be positioned upon the lower portion of the References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 819,975 5/1906 Bracco 128525 2,802,465 8/1957 Brown 128159 3,130,731 4/1964 Zdan 128546 ADELE M. EAGER, Primary Examiner. 

